From Canada to Kazakhstan - listen as I live and learn during my time in Kazakhstan. (these times have come to a close)
From a mixture of first hand accounts to the sounds of life (via minidisc) together we will discover the joys, ingenuity and challenges of this part of Central Asia.

04 June 2006

Perceptions of foreigners and a little channel surfing: Podcast #9

Listen to what Kazakhstanies think of Americans, Chinese, Canadians, Russians… plus a touch of the daily language reality, both courtesy of Natasha.

As well I channel surfed the TV for you. Yes it's always for you!

Links I mentioned on the show:

Global Voices On-Line www.globalvoicesonline.org"seeks to amplify, curate and aggregate the global conversation online - with a focus on countries and communities outside the U.S. and Western Europe. We are committed to developing tools, institutions and relationships that will help all voices everywhere to be heard."

Central Asian blog I contribute to in the Kazakhstan pagewww.neweurasia.net (Kazakhstan page kazakhstan.neweurasia.net)

I am surprized that you used one person for all of these opinions for a podcast, especially a person who is an ethnic Russian. Shouldn't you try to balance it out by interviewing an ethnic Kazakh person?

Yes, I agree, the ideas are of natasha's only. She cannot speak for the people of the Khazakh land. Try creating a part two with atleast a group of individuals present, so u don't have to go editing the audio, to get answers in the right spot.

Recently found this site through a google search - thanks for the fascinating stories and insightful podcasts. As a cultural anthropologist in training at the University of California Berkeley, I always look for fresh voices to hear from regions that seem to escape mainstream Western media. Keep up the great work!

What Natasha is saying is 100 per cent right,she is representing the average inhabitant of ALA (KZ or Russian, doesn't really matter). After quite a long time here as a foreigner, I can see that Russians and Kazakhs, share many things (especially people of a certain age that have a common upbringing). Kazakhs constitute in general a nation of xenophobes I'd say, not extremely "open" and frightened people. This unfriendly attitude can be perceived sometimes as an unjustifiable superiority complex. Shame really.

Stavros? what happened to the kazakhstan stories. I really enjoy them. I haven't listened to #9 yet, maybe these folks have good recommendations. But that doesn't change the fact that your podcast picks up the absurd and delicious details of life in a land that no one really knows enough about. I love your tunes. Can you do a whole podcast about Kazakh music? like Urker, or dombras? What about kazakh dance, or television?

What about politics? (or is that too sensitive). What's up with Nazarbayev's daughter?

Very interesting podcasts. I am really surprised to explore this web-site. Thanks.

I am Kazakh, and I can tell you that I don't agree with every word Natasha said. You shouldn't generalize whole country based on the example of the one person, especially if she is Russian. Russian and Kazakh people are quite different. Unfortunately, the Russians don/t want to study Kazakh.. Also it is not true that we consider Russia as our motherland. Moreover, we are happy that now we are an independent country...

Very interesting podcasts. I am really surprised to explore this web-site. Thanks.

I am Kazakh, and I can tell you that I don't agree with every word Natasha said. You shouldn't generalize whole country based on the example of the one person, especially if she is Russian. Russian and Kazakh people are quite different. Unfortunately, the Russians don/t want to study Kazakh.. Also it is not true that we consider Russia as our motherland. Moreover, we are happy that now we are an independent country...

In one podcast title I wrote "Kazakhs" when I should have written something like Kazakhstanis to make it clear that I meant the people overall. In another episode I take the time to explain the difference between the groups, which giving people too much of a history lesson.

That said many ethnic Kazakhs share many views with ethnic Russians. They were very general statements and I asked not for Natalya's personal opinion, but what the average person thinks on a basic level. Someone who speaks English like you Zhuldyz does not in my view represent the average citizen of Kazakhstan in the same way that my personal views do not explain well how the average Canadian views Kazakhstan.

I tired to present the issues in a way to make them accessible while and being fair to the reality. Needless to say I was learning as I went and that was part of the process.

In the first episode I do something similar with Westerners who know noting about Kazakhstan, note this was before Borat was released.

Again that you for taking the time to respond and offer useful feedback. I hope you will listen to other episodes and get back to me.

Hello, there! Listened to your podcasts on iTunes about Kazakhstan. I liked the way you presented your podcasts casual and informal way. But, in the last podcast Natasha's comment's about not wanting to learn Kazakh are obviously true from Russia perception, but i thought it would be better if interviewed more people not only Russians, but also Kazakhs and other nationalities living in Kazakhstan. But, anyways, it was fun to listen to those stories, especially from volunteers. :) But, I do not agree with the guy who said that if you're coming to Kazakhstan be prepared to invest a lot and expect minimum results. I don't think that people should expect the same mentality of people or culture to be the same as their own. If you're coming to that country accept the way it is. People are different everywhere. Don't expect anything from anyone. I'm proud to be Kazakh. And I love my culture. Thank you, for the podcasts! I hope you'll have happy life in Almaty or whenever you're with your family. Rahmet! And when is the next podcast? We are waiting! :)

Thank you for your feedback. You are correct in that one needs to interview a greater cross section of people beyond Russians to get a full perspective.

The challenge was in part a combination of my limited social network and the fact that it was something I did on the side not a a professional journalist. As well there is a general resistance to be recorded which I understand due to history.

Unfortunately there will be no more podcasts from Kazakhstan because I no longer live in Kazakhstan.

My hope is that the podcasts have encouraged some people to learn more about Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The world is a fascinating place and with the internet it can be discovered without the need for a lot of money or advanced language skills.

people will know eventually more about Kazakhstan an Central Asian countries. It also depends on level of education. Certainly, after Borat made that movie Kazakhstan became more known in America. I've been living in the US for couple of years due to school and tired of explaining where Kazakhstan is.

But, thanks for your effort to tell your stories from KZ. Best of luck!